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"I still have a job to do on the weekend ... it's just about one game at a time": Western Sydney's Matthew Spiranovic. Photo: Brendan Esposito

First Brisbane, then Brazil for Western Sydney Wanderers defender Matthew Spiranovic, who is hoping to cap off a stellar season with a World Cup berth – but not before lifting the A-League crown in Sunday's grand final.

The 25-year-old has resurrected his career in Sydney's west much like many others in the Wanderers squad and is on the cusp of being rewarded with a seat on the plane to Brazil in June. But he is not yet daring to dream, not least until Sunday night.

A World Cup appearance six years after his international debut has long been his goal but he is not permitting himself to shift his attention to the green and gold until his duties in the red and black are complete.

"I still have a job to do on the weekend ... it's just about one game at a time": Western Sydney's Matthew Spiranovic. Photo: Brendan Esposito

A recent recall to the Socceroos squad for their friendly against Ecuador in March combined with injuries to other key defenders have boosted Spiranovic's chances to lead Australia's back line in Brazil, though he has not given it too much thought as grand final glory remains his immediate concern.

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"I'm pretty happy with how things have gone and I still have a job to do on the weekend but, like I said, it's just about one game at a time, focusing on club football while putting myself in the best position possible to make the squad for Brazil," Spiranovic said.

Sunday's decider against Brisbane Roar will be the second time the towering defender has played in a grand final, though it has been some time between appearances.

A-League 2014 Grand Final preparations

Players and fans ready themselves ahead of the A-League 2014 Grand Final between the Brisbane Roar and the Western Sydney Wanderers at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Follow us at http://twitter.com/photosSMH Photo: Michelle Smith

In just his tenth professional game seven years ago, Spiranovic was thrust into the German Cup final as an 18-year-old substitute, replacing Czech defender Marek Nikl in the 72nd minute against Stuttgart.

His club, FC Nuremberg, clinched their first DFB Pokal title in 45 years with an extra-time goal by Jan Kristiansen and while Spiranovic admits he did not fully appreciate the honour due to his youth, over time it taught him not to take such occasions for granted.

"You have to make the most of these moments and this weekend is one of them and you never know when you get another opportunity to play in a grand final," Spiranovic said. "The boys played in one last year and know how it feels to miss out on it and they'll be pumped to win one on the weekend.

"I was 18, playing in the German Cup final against Stuttgart. It feels like it was only yesterday. To achieve that at such a young age, I probably didn't understand what it meant. But, for some of the other boys in the team, I remember it was the highlight of their careers and they had played 10 years in the Bundesliga. So when you put it into context it was a pretty special achievement."

While the 52,000 that will pack into Suncorp Stadium will create one of the most memorable atmospheres in Australian sport, it may not be as special as that of the 75,000 that filled Berlin's Olympiastadion that day.

Nevertheless, Spiranovic says he relishes occasions such as this. Not that he needs any additional motivation to clinch the A-League title but he is hoping that the wild scenes and street parades that followed in Nuremberg can be replicated in Parramatta should the Wanderers win their first grand final.

"It was surreal to be honest, playing at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin against players you watched [on] TV playing in World Cups," Spiranovic said.

"To win and return to Nurnberg and have a parade in the streets and see what it meant to the supporters, it was the highlight of my career. We had the keys to the city, it was a special occasion."

Spiranovic is off-contract at the season's end and says it would be hard to knock back a good offer to return to Europe. He says it is just as likely that he will remain in a red and black shirt next season.

"I've always stated that my first preference is to go back to Europe but only if the right club comes along," he said. "If not, I've enjoyed my season here at the Wanderers and there's a good chance I might stay here. Let's see what happens in the next few weeks."

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